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For unto [suffering] you were called,1 because [Messiah] also suffered in your behalf,2 leaving you an example to be copied,3 so that you might continue to follow his footsteps.4
| 1 | For unto [suffering] you were called: Or, GDS: That is the life to which you have been called; BER: to such an experience you have been called. One cannot escape suffering in Life. Most of the world during this “season of groaning pain” will experience suffering. [Romans 8:19-21] The Christian will endure those sufferings common to humankind – but doing so in hope – while possibly also suffering for Christian discipleship. |
| 2 | [Messiah] also suffered in your behalf: Peter begins to allude to Isaiah chapter 53. One remembers the episode between Christ and Peter and the matter of Messiah’s suffering. [Matthew 16:21-23] |
| 3 | Leaving you an example to be copied: Or, pattern, model. The Greek HYPOGRAMMON [Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance #5261, underwriting, an example for copying]. This is a word from the schoolroom where a student writes under the handwriting model given by the teacher. [Matthew 16:24; John 13:15; 1 Corinthians 11:1] The life of Christ becomes a pattern or role-model for his disciples. |
| 4 | Continue to follow his footsteps: Compare a characteristic of the 144,000 end-time Saints. [Revelation 14:4] |
Dear Friends of the Nazarene,
We choose 1 Peter 2:21 as the theme verse of chapter two – Suffering For Right. As new-borns they should form a craving for the Word. [1-3] Christians should get rid of every kind of harmfulness, deceit, hypocrisy, jealous ambition and slander. By this they will “grow to salvation.” Christians are like “living stones” constructed into a “spiritual house” in order to offer up “spiritual sacrifices.” Peter quotes Isaiah 28:16, “I am laying in Zion a chosen Stone.” As such a royal priesthood “they have been called out of darkness.” [7-10] Peter quotes and paraphrases several Bible verses proving that Christians are “a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation.”
Christians must “maintain excellent conduct.” [11, 12] Conducting themselves in a fine and honorable way they must abstain from fleshly desires. Then perhaps those who slander them will glorify God “in a Day of inspection” because of being eyewitnesses of their excellent conduct. By being submissive to state authority Christians will be praised by their governments. [13-17] Being good will stop ignorant talk. Though Christians are “free” they must never use their liberty as a cover for evil. Peter urges Christians to honor all persons, to be compassionate toward the fellowship, fear God and honor the king.
Peter writes that there is a kind of suffering that is agreeable. [18-20] Servants should be submissive to their masters. It is honorable to God to bear one’s burdens with a good conscience. There is no honor in suffering because of being a criminal, but it is to endure suffering because of doing good. Christians must use the suffering of Christ as a model to follow. [21-25] Christ “never committed a sin” and even when being insulted he did not talk back but surrender to the One who could judge him justly. Peter paraphrases Isaiah showing that Christ “bore our sins” and so “by his wounds you were healed.” Like straying sheep Christians have turned back to the Shepherd.
Abba our Father bless those who suffer for being good.
[31 August 2002]
